"Right to Pray" amendment

Friday, June 1, 2012

Dear Editor:

Recently, the Barry County Commission passed a resolution to place "In God We Trust" inside the commission chambers. The display serves as a good reminder for commissioners, and is meant to help guide our many decisions.

However, displays like these have been under attack.

The Franklin County Commission was recently sued by the ACLU after beginning a commission meeting with a prayer. The anonymous citizen behind the complaint was "offended by sectarian prayers at meetings of the Franklin County Commission," and has pushed for an injunction to prohibit future prayers.

While working to make sure no one is "offended," the ACLU has trampled on the rights of citizens to openly express their faith.

Those seeking to pray, or express a religious belief, have been silenced in the name of political correctness.

We can change this. Missourians will have the opportunity to re-affirm our right to practice religion on August 7.

Last week Governor Jay Nixon signed a proclamation placing the "Right to Pray" constitutional amendment on the August ballot. The amendment seeks to guarantee three things:

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The right of Missouri citizens to express their religious beliefs shall not be infringed

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School children have the right to pray and acknowledge God voluntarily in their schools

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All public schools shall display the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution

Further, the amendment protects "elected officials and employees of the state of Missouri and its political subdivisions." This would include protections for Barry County Commissioners and our display in the Commission office.

I encourage Barry County residents to take advantage of this opportunity to reaffirm the God given rights enumerated in the U.S. Constitution and support the "Right to Pray" Amendment in August.